Kano task force arrests 380 suspects, secures 230 convictions

The Kano State Multi-Agency Task Force on Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking has arrested more than 380 suspects and recovered assorted illicit drugs during operations across the state.

The task force also secured more than 230 convictions from the suspects arrested, its chairman, Muhuyi Magaji Rimin Gado, said on Wednesday.

Rimin Gado disclosed this while briefing journalists on the activities of the task force since its inauguration on July 22, 2026.

He said the task force had carried out joint operations to dismantle drug joints and criminal hideouts across Kano metropolis and other parts of the state.

According to him, the operations targeted locations where people gathered to abuse illicit substances and engage in criminal activities, including thuggery, phone snatching and other social vices.

He listed some of the areas affected by the operations as Race Course, Filin Idi, Filin Mahaha, Tashar Rami, Kawo and Tashar Rimi.

The task force recovered substances including cannabis sativa, Exol-5, diazepam, pentazocine, tramadol, pregabalin and a designer drug containing methamphetamine.

It also seized about 870,000 pregabalin capsules from a pharmaceutical company in the state over suspected diversion for illicit use.

Rimin Gado said the discovery raised concerns about the diversion of controlled drugs from legitimate pharmaceutical supply chains.

He urged pharmaceutical companies, pharmacy managers, pharmacists and other relevant personnel to strengthen internal controls and ensure transparent supply-chain practices.

The chairman warned that anyone found culpable in the diversion or illicit distribution of controlled drugs would face appropriate action.